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What Is Overprint?

Overprint means ink prints on top of another color, rather than knocking out (removing) the background color.
Think of overprint like layering transparent sheets - colors blend together, versus cutting a hole and filling it.

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Overprint vs Knockout

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Visual Comparison

KNOCKOUT (Default):
┌─────────────────┐
│   Background    │
│  ┌──────────┐   │  ← Background removed
│  │   Text   │   │  ← Text fills the hole
│  └──────────┘   │
└─────────────────┘

OVERPRINT:
┌─────────────────┐
│   Background    │
│  ████████████   │  ← Background stays
│  ████Text████   │  ← Text prints on top
│  ████████████   │  ← Colors blend
└─────────────────┘

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Example: Black Text on Cyan Background

MethodWhat HappensResult Color
KnockoutCyan removed, black fills holePure black
OverprintBlack prints over cyanBlack (darker cyan)

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Why Use Overprint?

Problem: Printing plates can shift slightly (misregistration)Without overprint:
┌──────────┐
│   Text   │  ← Knockout hole
└──────────┘
     ↓ (plates shift)
┌──────────┐
│ T xt     │  ← White gap shows!
└──────────┘
With overprint:
  • Black prints over background
  • Small shifts invisible
  • No white gaps
Best for: Small text, fine lines
Overprinting black over colors creates richer, denser blackStandard black: K100 only Overprint black: K100 + underlying CMYKExample:
  • Background: C50 M20 Y0 K0
  • Black text (overprint): K100
  • Result: C50 M20 Y0 K100 (richer black)
Best for: Headlines, logos, body text on colored backgrounds
Creative blending of spot colors or process colorsExample:
  • Yellow background (Y100)
  • Cyan shape (overprint) (C100)
  • Result: Green where they overlap
Best for: Artistic designs, intentional color mixing
Less plate processing when black text overprints
  • Printer doesn’t need to knock out thousands of letters
  • Faster RIP (Raster Image Processing)
  • Lower production time
Best for: Text-heavy documents

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When to Use Overprint

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✅ Always Overprint

  • Black Text
  • Black Lines
  • Dark Colors on Light
Black text on any colored backgroundWhy: Prevents registration gaps, creates richer blackSettings:
  • Black fill: Overprint ✓
  • Black stroke: Overprint ✓
Applies to:
  • Body text
  • Headlines
  • Small type (< 18pt)

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❌ Never Overprint

Do NOT overprint in these situations:
Problem: Light ink disappears over dark inkExample:
  • Yellow text (Y100)
  • Black background (K100)
  • Overprint result: Yellow disappears (invisible!)
Solution: Use knockout (default)
Problem: White/light colors have no opacityExample:
  • White text on blue background
  • Overprint result: No white ink = text invisible!
Solution: Must knockout
Problem: Unpredictable color mixingExample:
  • Pantone 286 C (blue)
  • Pantone 185 C (red) overprint
  • Result: Unknown purple (not brand accurate!)
Exception: Intentional spot color blendingSolution: Knockout unless intentionally mixing
Problem: Excessive ink buildupExample:
  • Large cyan box (C100)
  • Large magenta box overprint (M100)
  • Result: C100 + M100 = wet, smearing
Issue: Exceeds TAC (Total Area Coverage)Solution: Knockout for large overlaps

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Overprint Settings in Print for Figma

1

Open Plugin

Select your frame and launch Print for Figma
2

Go to Color Tab

Navigate to the Color tab in plugin interface
3

Find Overprint Section

Scroll to “Overprint” settings area
4

Enable Black Overprint (Recommended)

Option 1: Automatic Black Overprint
  • ✓ “Overprint black objects automatically”
  • Plugin applies overprint to all black elements
  • Most common setting
This automatically sets:
  • Black text → Overprint ✓
  • Black lines → Overprint ✓
  • Black shapes → Overprint ✓
5

Custom Overprint Rules (Advanced)

Option 2: Manual Control
  • Select specific colors to overprint
  • Set thresholds (e.g., only text < 12pt)
  • Override specific elements
Pro feature: Advanced overprint control
6

Preview

  • Enable “Overprint Preview” in PDF viewer
  • See how colors will actually print
  • Verify no unintended color mixing

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Understanding Color Mixing with Overprint

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CMYK Color Mixing

When overprinting process colors, they mix:
Top ColorBottom ColorResult
Cyan (C100)Yellow (Y100)Green
Magenta (M100)Yellow (Y100)Red/Orange
Cyan (C100)Magenta (M100)Blue/Purple
Black (K100)Any colorRicher black
Yellow (Y100)Black (K100)Yellow disappears

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Rich Black Creation

Overprinting black creates automatic rich black: 
Example 1:
Background: C20 M10 Y0 K0 (light blue)
Black text (K100) overprints
= Text becomes: C20 M10 Y0 K100 (blue-black)

Example 2:
Background: C0 M0 Y50 K0 (yellow)
Black text (K100) overprints
= Text becomes: C0 M0 Y50 K100 (warm black)
This automatic rich black is free - you get richer color without extra effort!

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Checking Overprint in PDFs

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Overprint Preview Mode

Most PDF viewers hide overprint effects by default
1

Open PDF in Adobe Acrobat

Professional PDF viewer required (free Reader works)
2

Enable Overprint Preview

Menu: View → Show/Hide → Rulers & Grids → Overprint PreviewOr:Shortcut: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Y
3

Compare

Toggle preview on/off to see difference:
  • Off: Shows knockout (what you designed)
  • On: Shows overprint (what will print)
4

Verify

Check that:
  • Black text looks correct
  • No unwanted color mixing
  • Light colors haven’t disappeared

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What to Look For

With overprint preview on:
  • Black text should be black
  • Slight color tint is OK (rich black)
  • No major color shifts
If text looks wrong: Check overprint settings
Common mistake: Light colors overprinting on darkCheck:
  • All elements visible
  • White/yellow/light colors not disappeared
Fix: Disable overprint for those elements
Colors should only mix where you intendedCheck:
  • Overlapping shapes
  • Unexpected color changes
Fix: Use knockout instead of overprint

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Black Overprint Best Practices

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Typography

Type SizeRecommendation
Small text (< 12pt)Always overprint
Body text (12-18pt)Always overprint
Headlines (> 18pt)Usually overprint
Large display textConsider knockout if vibrant background

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Black Weight Considerations

Pure black (K100):
  • Always safe to overprint
  • Creates rich black automatically
Dark grays (e.g., K80):
  • Usually OK to overprint
  • Check preview
Light grays (e.g., K20):
  • Do NOT overprint
  • May disappear on dark backgrounds

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Spot Color Overprint

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When to Overprint Spot Colors

  • Intentional Mixing
  • Spot + CMYK
  • Varnishes
Create custom colors by mixing spot colorsExample:
  • Pantone 185 C (red) background
  • Pantone 2925 C (blue) overprint
  • Result: Custom purple
Use case: Expanding color palette without extra plates

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Spot Color Overprint Risks

Unpredictable results when overprinting spot colors!
Problem: Pantone colors are premixed
  • Mixing them creates unknown colors
  • Not Pantone-specified
  • Can’t predict exact result
Solution:
  • Get physical proof before production
  • Test color mixing with printer
  • Use Pantone mixing guides if available

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TAC and Overprint

Total Area Coverage (TAC) limits apply to overprint

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Example

Background: C50 M40 Y30 K0 = 120% TAC
Black text (K100) overprints
Result: C50 M40 Y30 K100 = 220% TAC

Is this OK?
✓ Yes - 220% is under 300% limit (for ISO Coated v2)

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When Overprint Exceeds TAC

Problem scenario: 
Background: C80 M80 Y80 K0 = 240% TAC
Black shape (K100) overprints
Result: C80 M80 Y80 K100 = 340% TAC
✗ Exceeds 300% limit!
Issues:
  • Wet ink, smearing
  • Extended drying time
  • Possible rejection by printer
Solutions:
  1. Use knockout instead of overprint
  2. Reduce background density
  3. Use lighter black (K80 instead of K100)
  4. Consult printer about higher TAC capability

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Common Overprint Mistakes

Error: Setting white elements to overprintResult: White becomes transparent = invisibleWhy it happens: Default setting misappliedFix:
  • White MUST knockout
  • Disable overprint for white colors
  • Check in overprint preview
Error: Yellow text overprinting dark backgroundsResult: Yellow disappears or looks muddyWhy it happens: Assuming all text should overprintFix:
  • Only dark colors should overprint
  • Use knockout for yellow/light colors
Error: Exporting without overprint preview checkResult: Surprises at print shopWhy it happens: PDF looks fine in normal viewFix:
  • ALWAYS check overprint preview
  • Compare before/after
  • Verify with printer
Error: Large overlapping shapes set to overprintResult: TAC exceeded, ink buildupWhy it happens: Blanket overprint settingFix:
  • Only overprint small text/lines
  • Knockout large shapes
  • Check TAC values

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Industry Standards

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Default Overprint Rules

Professional printing standard:
  • Black text: Always overprint
  • Black lines (< 2pt): Overprint
  • Black shapes: Usually overprint
  • All other colors: Knockout (default)

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Printer Expectations

Most commercial printers expect:
  • Automatic black overprint
  • No overprint on white
  • Spot colors knockout unless specified
  • Varnishes/coatings overprint
When in doubt, ask your printer! They can advise on their press capabilities and preferences.

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Troubleshooting Overprint Issues

Symptoms: Light-colored elements missing from printed pieceCause: Light colors set to overprint on dark backgroundsDiagnosis:
  • Open PDF in Acrobat
  • Enable Overprint Preview (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Y)
  • Look for disappeared elements
Solution:
  • Disable overprint for light colors
  • Re-export PDF
  • Verify in overprint preview
Symptoms: Colors look different than designedCause: Unintended overprint mixing colorsDiagnosis:
  • Check overprint preview
  • Identify overlapping elements
  • Look for color mixing
Solution:
  • Use knockout instead of overprint
  • Adjust overprint settings in plugin
  • Test with physical proof
Symptoms: Printer says ink coverage too highCause: Overprint creating TAC > 300%Diagnosis:
  • Check areas where colors overlap
  • Calculate combined TAC
  • Identify problem zones
Solution:
  • Use knockout for large shapes
  • Reduce background density
  • Limit overprint to text only
Symptoms: White gaps still visibleCause: Overprint not enabled correctlyDiagnosis:
  • Check PDF with overprint preview
  • Verify black elements set to overprint
  • Confirm settings in export
Solution:
  • Re-enable overprint in plugin
  • Re-export PDF
  • Verify with printer

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Overprint Checklist

Before sending to print:
  • Black overprint enabled: Automatic setting on
  • White NOT overprinting: Would become invisible
  • Light colors knockout: Yellow, light tints use knockout
  • Overprint preview checked: Verified in Adobe Acrobat
  • No disappeared elements: All content visible in preview
  • TAC within limits: No excessive ink from overprint
  • Spot colors verified: Intentional mixing only
  • Printer consulted: Confirmed preferences if uncertain

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Advanced: Selective Overprint

Pro users: Control overprint per element

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Use Cases

  • Black Logo on Photo
  • Drop Shadow
  • Decorative Elements
Scenario: Black logo over CMYK photoSettings:
  • Logo fill: Overprint ✓
  • Logo outline: Overprint ✓
Result: Logo prints cleanly without knockout gaps

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Learn More

Black Handling

Rich black vs pure black strategies

Color Management

Complete color workflow guide

TAC Limits

Understanding ink coverage

Troubleshooting Colors

Fix common color problems
Pro Tip: When in doubt, enable automatic black overprint and leave everything else as knockout. This handles 95% of cases correctly!